"You were the weakest link -goodbye!"

THE DEPARTURE from Tony Blair's government of former Cabinet Minister, Peter Mandelson, finds no sympathy from former Labour MP, now Socialist Party councillor Dave Nellist. Dave, who is also national Chair of The Socialist Alliance said: "If you've got a few hundred pounds in the bank and you want to reunite a family with members from India, or bring a visitor over for a wedding, Britain is virtually a closed door.

"But if you've got a few hundred million pounds in the bank - even if you're facing arms deal corruption charges in India - then there's a compliant New Labour Minister available to open the door for you.

"This whole episode ranks of the sort of sleaze that was common under the Tory Government - proof again that we need a new politics in this country, a new party of working people for working people imbued with genuine socialist ideas. Labour's too mesmerised by the problems of the millionaires, instead of dealing with the problems of the millions.

"Personally, I don't see why Peter Mandelson didn't go the whole way, and be hung for a sheep instead of a lamb. He could have phoned up Mohammed Al Fayed and probably got £5 million for a passport! Mr Mandelson, you were the weakest link - Goodbye!"

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Coronavirus crisis - Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.

When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.

Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.

We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our special coronavirus appeal.